Light switch



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LIGHT SWITCH Filed April 11, 1955 I? Fig.4

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United States Patent 2,805,296 LIGHT SWITCH Gordon H. Newell, Beliingham, Wash. Application April 11, 1955, Serial No. 500,333 2 Claims. (Cl. ZOO-61.47)

This invention relates to the class of electrical switches, and more particularly to a novel combination ornament and light switch especially adapted for use as a Christmas tree light switch.

The primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of a switch for controlling the ornamental lights of a Christmas tree or like decoration which in itself is adapted to serve as an ornament.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of an ornamental light switch which includes means for maintaining the light switch in an o position or in an on position due to an effective arrangement of counterbalancing Weights.

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of a light switch that is simple in construction, highly efiicient in operation, attractive in appearance, and which is relatively inexpensive to construct, thereby permitting wide distribution and utilization.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this light switch, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective View illustrating the light switch comprising the present invention as utilized in combination with ornamental lights on a Christmas tree;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the light switch shown in an on position;

Figure 3 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the manner in which the light switch may be connected to a string of Christmas tree lights for actuation thereof; and

Figure 4 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the manner in which a jumper may be substituted for the light switch which comprises the present invention.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral is used to generally designate the novel light switch comprising the present invention. This light switch 10 is adapted to be utilized in conjunction with a string of Christmas tree lights such as are indicated by reference numeral 12.

The string of Christmas tree lights 12 may include a plurality of lamp sockets 14 adapted to receive light bulbs 16 therein, the sockets being either connected in series with each other or in parallel with each other, as is shown in Figures 3 and 4. A pair of conductors 18 and 20 interconnect the lamps 16 with a plug or other suitable electrical connector 22 adapted to be plugged into an outlet 24 for connecting the string of Christmas tree lights to a suitable source of electrical power. A receptacle 26 is also connected across the conductors 18 and 20 and adapted to receive a plug 28 which is connected by suitable conductors 30 and 32 to the switch 10. As is shown in Figure 4, a suitable jumper 34 or manually operated switch may be connected to the receptacle 26 in lieu of the switch 10 comprising the present invention.

The switch 10 consists of an ornamental body 36 of electrically insulative material, such as any of the synthetic plastic resins or the like having a pair of headed stub shafts 38 and 40 partially embedded therein. Rotatably mounted by means of the stub shafts 38 and 40 isa yoke 42 of substantially U-shape having leg portions 44 and 46 and a central connecting portion 48 which is rotatably mounted in a sleeve 50 in which the connecting portion 52 of a hanger is also rotatably received. The hanger 52 is connected to a clip 54 in a rotatable manner, as at 56, the clip being spring pressed, as at 58, for clamping engagement with a branch of a Christmas tree or the like.

The body 36 includes a first comparatively large chamber 60 into which contacts 62 and 64 which are connected to conductors 30 and 32 extend.

Positioned in the chamber 60 and partially filling the chamber to thoroughly cover the contacts 62 and 64 is a suitable amount of mercury 66 which completes an operative electrical circuit between the contacts 62 and 64. However, when the body 36 is tilted, the mercury 66 will flow so as to no longer complete the electrical circuit between the contacts 62 and 64.

An additional chamber 68 is provided in the body 36 and may form the head portion of the ornamental figurine comprising the body 36. Positioned in this chamber 68 which may have a flattened portion, as at 70, is a spherical weight, such as a ball bearing 72. This weight 72 is chosen to be of such size as to counterbalance the weight of the mercury 66 so that the body 36 will maintain itself in either an upright or an inverted position, as desired.

In operation, with the parts connected as is shown in Figure 3, it is merely necessary to utilize the clip 54 to connect the switch 10 to the limb of a Christmas tree. Then, the ornamental body 36 may be tilted to an upright position which will complete an operative electrical circuit from the plug 22 to the lamps 16. However, when it is desired to open the circuit to the light bulbs 16, it is merely necessary to tilt the ornamental body 36.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A combination ornament and light switch comprising an ornamental body of electrically insulative material having at least one closed chamber, a pair of spaced electrical contacts extending into said chamber, said chamber being partially filled with mercury, a yoke, said body being rotatably attached to said yoke, and clamp means attached to said yoke, said body having a second chamber, and a spherical weight in said second chamber.

2. A combination ornament and light switch comprising an ornamental body of electrically insulative material having at least one closed chamber, a pair of spaced electrical contacts extending into said chamber, said chamber being partially filled with mercury, a yoke, said body being rotatably attached to said yoke, and clamp means attached to said yoke, said clamp means including a spring pressed clip, a hanger attached to said clip, said hanger being rotatably attached to said yoke, said body having a second chamber, and a spherical weight in said second chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,749,775 Millar Mar. 11, 1930 2,449,799 Alvarez et al. Sept. 21, 1948 2,531,452 Mannon Nov. 28, 1950 2,611,065 Adams et al. Sept. 16, 1952 

